Crossword News
November 2024
The October Prize
Puzzle was Location by Gnomie. The perimeter reads - FOR WHEN THEY REACH THE
SCENE OF CRIME MACAVITY'S NOT THERE. The name Macavity was to be deleted twice
from the grid.
There is a solution
at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2024/11/solution-to-location-by-gnomie.html
Robert Teuton
apologises for technical problems which have delayed the results. Results and
comments will be published later.
There is still time
for you to solve the November challenge, Rising Costs II by Hedge-sparrow. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2024/10/november-2024-prize-puzzle.html
The December
challenge will mark the 16th Seasons Greetings by Eclogue.
For December we will
be publishing a Christmas Special. Checkerboard Challenge by Arcadia is a
complex puzzle, involving filling 5 grids, but you only need to submit the
final one. I found it difficult to complete the final grid but it is a pleasure
to solve. Because of its difficulty, it will not count against annual
statistics. Arcadia will donate a bottle of Brut Champagne for the winner.
***
In the Times Crossword Championship, it was a return to victory for Mark
Goodliffe, taking his 13th title. He finished the final crossword in
4 minutes 38 seconds. However, it was 27-year-old Chloe Hutton who came a close
second in 6 minutes 18 seconds. Hutton won the Richard Rogan prize for best new
entrant, created in memory of the Times crossword editor who died in June.
Liam Hughes came
third with a time of 6:26.
Paul Gilbert was fourth, 7:36.
Colin Thomas came fifth, finishing in second place in 5:07 but with one
mistake.
Only the fastest five contestants made it into the final. Last year’s winner
Matthew Marcus came 7th in the semi-final.
Full results, video
and the final puzzle are available on The Times Crossword Club.
https://www.thetimes.com/puzzleclub/crosswordclub/news/times-crossword-championship-2024-results
On Cracking the
Cryptic, Mark explains how he solved the final puzzle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxAG4k1QD84
***
Following the death of Richard Rogan, it was Shane Shabankareh who took over
temporarily as editor of the Times Crossword. It has now been announced that
Jason Crampton will be taking over the post, starting on the 2nd of
December.
***
Keith Williams posted this message on our FaceBook page.
The upcoming November issue of the Crossword Club, includes the following
notice, which any former members using this forum may be able to assist with:-
"SEARCH –
between 1981 and 2004, the Club produced a Christmas Card Crossword every year
on a festive theme including a competition element, created and judged by, our
much missed friend and colleague, Alfreda Blanchard. Your co-editors would be
extremely grateful to any member who is able to send a scan or photo of some,
any or all of these gems to clubcrosswords@gmail.com "
With thanks in
advance.
***
In February, American puzzle editor, Will Shortz suffered a stroke. The stroke
was on the right side of his brain, leaving the left side of his body
“completely incapacitated” and causing his speech to be slurred.
Since then, he has
been undergoing therapy and rehabilitation. Fortunately, his treatment has been
successful. In an article for CNN News Shortz explains how he realised that he had
had a stroke and the treatment he received.
***
The 2025 edition of the 3D Crossword Calendar is available now. You get a
puzzle for every month of the year and al the proceeds go to charities, the
RNIB and BBC Children in Need. The printed copies cost £14.50 and the virtual
calendars £12.50 or you can give more as a donation.
https://3dcalendarpuzzles.co.uk/shop/
***
The Azed Slip for the clues to INTERCHANGING is on the Crossword Centre now.
http://www.crossword.org.uk/Azedslip.html
Richard Heald
continued his winning form with this clue.
Trafficking? No-one
involved emerges from criminal heroin gang innocent
(anag. less anag.).
In the slip, Azed
announces that there will be a special lunch to celebrate Azed No. 2,750 at
Wolfson, Oxford on Saturday 3 May 2025
***
Collins Dictionary has announced their word of the year for 2024. ‘Brat’
newly defined in 2024 as ‘characterized by a confident, independent, and
hedonistic attitude’, has been named Collins' Word of the Year 2024. Inspired
by the Charli XCX album, ‘brat’ has become one of the most talked about words
of 2024. More than a hugely successful album, ‘brat’ is a cultural phenomenon
that has resonated with people globally, and ‘brat summer’ established itself
as an aesthetic and a way of life.
The shortlisted words included, brainrot, An
inability to think clearly due to excessive consumption of low-quality online
content. Era, a period of one’s life that is of a distinctive character.
Looksmaxxing attempting to maximise the attractiveness of one’s physical
appearance. And also, rawdogging, anti-tourism, ,romantasy, delulu, supermajority
and yapping.
***
Another book suggestion for your Christmas present list, The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers by Samuel
Barr concerns a group of cruciverbalists. The story follows Clayton, a young
man whose adoptive mother, Pippa, recently passed away. Left on the steps of
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers as a baby, Clayton was lovingly raised by Pippa,
the leader of this unique community residing in a charming old manor. Upon her
passing, Pippa leaves Clayton a series of intricate puzzles to solve, leading
him on a journey to uncover the truth about his birth parents.
***
When I published the Apex Letters last year, I did not expect a big sale for my
autobiographical notes about my friendship with a crossword setter. As it is, I
have a lot of copies left and, in order to clear some space on my bookshelf, I
have reduced the price to £6 and free postage in the UK. Full details here.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/the-apex-letters.html
***
For lovers of the BBC drama, Ludwig,
the good news is that David Mitchell is already preparing a second series.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/ludwig-series-two/
***
Best wishes
Derek
